Influential leaders from diverse backgrounds across the State of Florida along with readers of McClatchy's Florida newsrooms – the Miami Herald, Bradenton Herald, el Nuevo Herald– and Sayfie Review, will hash out solutions to tough policy issues with a shared goal of building a better Florida at the Florida Priorities Summit on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the University of Miami.

The inaugural gathering continues the online conversation created and moderated by the Miami Herald's "Influencer Series," a project that has sparked a dynamic, ongoing solutions-focused conversation on policy issues most important to the community. Funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation supports "The Influencer Series" and the Florida Priorities Summit. The event is hosted by the University of Miami in collaboration with the Sayfie Review.

"We're excited to extend an invitation to thought leaders, committed citizens and leaders of Florida who want to lean into the challenges facing our state and participate in active discussions focused on meaningful and thoughtful solutions to make Florida better," said Alexandra Villoch, president and publisher of the Miami Herald Media Company. "As an essential part of the South Florida community, we're aiming to create an aspirational vision for what Florida can be and together, create a practical roadmap for how to get there. We are grateful for the support of the Knight Foundation as well as the strong collaboration with the Sayfie Review and the University of Miami."

"Providing forums for informed debate and consensus-building among people of diverse backgrounds and political beliefs fosters democracy," said Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation president. "Communities must be shaped by their residents; the summit offers the opportunity to do that."

"Sayfie Review is delighted to be collaborating with the Miami Herald on the Florida Priorities Summit." said Justin Sayfie, publisher of the Sayfie Review. "Florida is the largest bell-weather state in the country, and we are looking forward to engaging our readers and the influential Florida leaders assembled by the Herald to address Florida's most critical issues."

The Florida Priorities Summit will be an inclusive, civil and dynamic day of discussions and exploration that challenges political assumptions and creates a shared vision for Florida.

The event is an outgrowth of the Miami Herald's "Influencers Series," which surveyed 50 leaders from across the community in education, public service, faith, business, law, sports and entertainment through the election cycle on policy issues and sentiments most important to Florida. Readers were also brought into the conversation in new ways. Miami's newsrooms opened up the editorial process so readers could provide input on surveys, ask questions and make suggestions, and journalists were able to listen and respond, strengthening the bond between the community and the newsroom. Through the surveys, five key policy areas were identified as priorities: education, transportation, guns, environment and health care.